John E. Lederer, 86, Valley Falls, died Thursday, Dec. 25, 2008, at his home.
He was born on Aug. 4, 1922, at Baldwin City, the son of Clyde and Nancy Kring Lederer. He served in the US Army in WW II with the 91st infantry in Italy and was awarded a Bronze Star medal.
John farmed near Valley Falls. He was a bus driver for USD 338 at Valley Falls from 1969-1981 when he became self-employed. He was a member of the Valley Falls United Methodist Church and Grahem-Herbers Post 3084, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He married Effie Viola Worner on May 2, 1948 at Dunavant. She died on Oct. 30, 2004. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Carol Hopkins, on July 18, 2007, three brothers, James "Jim" Lederer, William "Bill" Lederer, and Virgil Lederer, and two sisters, Fannie Burk and Marjorie Lobb.
Survivors include two sons, John (Joyce) Lederer, and Dean (Mary) Lederer, all of Valley Falls, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be at 2:00, p.m., Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. Burial will be at the Valley Falls Cemetery with military honors conducted by Grahem-Herbers Post 3084, V.F.W. Visitation will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Valley Falls Athletic Association and sent in care of the funeral home, 810 Broadway, Valley Falls, KS 66088.